Delegation looks at range of sites for Whitsundays casino

UPDATE: Blackjack, roulette and poker could soon be played in the Whitsundays at a ritzy casino.

Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach have been identified as two of the most promising locations for Chinese investment in a casino and integrated resort.

China Australia Entrepreneurs Association Incorporated president Raymond Wang, who was part of a delegation that visited the region, confirmed he and his associates had looked at "maybe four or five different land sites" for this type of development, as well as a Chinatown-style restaurant and shopping precinct and a Buddhist temple complex.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Jennifer Whitney on Friday oversaw a signing ceremony between the entrepreneurs association and the Zelong Group from Macau in relation to mounting a bid for a regional casino licence.

While she was reasonably tight-lipped about potential locations for the proposed developments, Cr Whitney said they were looking at the water and the mountains.

"At this stage there is nothing concrete set; they are looking at many sites," she said.

"They've obviously done some driving and they've seen sites that would work for them, but those discussions with council would need to continue."

The ceremony was attended by several members of the Chinese delegation, representatives from Whitsunday Regional Council, Whitsundays Marketing and Development Limited chairman Jim Elder, a representative from Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan's office and Airlie Beach businessman Tony Laurent.

Mr Laurent, who has been working with the CAEAI for some time, said there was no danger of the Whitsundays becoming another Gold Coast or Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, Hayman Island has again denied it has applied for a casino licence. Rumours have been circulating since October that the island in the Whitsundays might have applied.

"Please be assured the island has not applied for a casino licence," a spokeswoman for the island's resort said.

Laguna Quays was also a possible spot, although Whitsunday mayor Jennifer Whitney denied this on Friday.

Last year the State Government said it may approve more casino licences, including two in regional Queensland, which fuelled rumours one licences might have been for the Whitsundays.

But discussions are also underway about upgrading the Whitsunday Coast Airport so it will be capable of accepting direct flights from China.

Cr Whitney said the airport would remain council-owned and would not be sold under her watch, but she admitted council did not have the necessary funds for the upgrade.

"We will need to look at a partnership to assist, that will allow the ratepayers and people who live in the Whitsundays to maintain ownership of the airport."

FRIDAY 2.15PM: Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach have been identified as two of the possible locations for Chinese investment in a casino.

China Australia Entrepreneurs Association Incorporated president Raymond Wang, who was part of a delegation that visited the region, confirmed he and his associates had looked at "maybe four or five different land sites" for this type of development, as well as a resort, Chinatown-style restaurant and shopping precinct and a Buddhist temple complex.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Jennifer Whitney today oversaw a signing ceremony between the entrepreneurs association and the Zelong Group from Macau in relation to mounting a bid for a regional casino licence.